Surface charge algebra in gauge theories and thermodynamic integrability

Surface charges and their algebra in interacting Lagrangian gauge field theories are investigated by using techniques from the variational calculus. In the case of exact solutions and symmetries, the surface charges are interpreted as a Pfaff system. Integrability is governed by Frobenius' theorem and the charges associated with the derived symmetry algebra are shown to vanish. In the asymptotic context, we provide a generalized covariant derivation of the result that the representation of the asymptotic symmetry algebra through charges may be centrally extended. Finally, we make contact with Hamiltonian and with covariant phase space methods.Comment: 40 pages Latex file, published versio

Irreversible thermodynamics of open chemical networks I: Emergent cycles and broken conservation laws

In this and a companion paper we outline a general framework for the thermodynamic description of open chemical reaction networks, with special regard to metabolic networks regulating cellular physiology and biochemical functions. We first introduce closed networks "in a box", whose thermodynamics is subjected to strict physical constraints: the mass-action law, elementarity of processes, and detailed balance. We further digress on the role of solvents and on the seemingly unacknowledged property of network independence of free energy landscapes. We then open the system by assuming that the concentrations of certain substrate species (the chemostats) are fixed, whether because promptly regulated by the environment via contact with reservoirs, or because nearly constant in a time window. As a result, the system is driven out of equilibrium. A rich algebraic and topological structure ensues in the network of internal species: Emergent irreversible cycles are associated to nonvanishing affinities, whose symmetries are dictated by the breakage of conservation laws. These central results are resumed in the relation $a + b = s^Y$ between the number of fundamental affinities $a$, that of broken conservation laws $b$ and the number of chemostats $s^Y$. We decompose the steady state entropy production rate in terms of fundamental fluxes and affinities in the spirit of Schnakenberg's theory of network thermodynamics, paving the way for the forthcoming treatment of the linear regime, of efficiency and tight coupling, of free energy transduction and of thermodynamic constraints for network reconstruction.Comment: 18 page

Covariant Hamiltonian Field Theory

A consistent, local coordinate formulation of covariant Hamiltonian field theory is presented. Whereas the covariant canonical field equations are equivalent to the Euler-Lagrange field equations, the covariant canonical transformation theory offers more general means for defining mappings that preserve the form of the field equations than the usual Lagrangian description. It is proved that Poisson brackets, Lagrange brackets, and canonical 2-forms exist that are invariant under canonical transformations of the fields. The technique to derive transformation rules for the fields from generating functions is demonstrated by means of various examples. In particular, it is shown that the infinitesimal canonical transformation furnishes the most general form of Noether's theorem. We furthermore specify the generating function of an infinitesimal space-time step that conforms to the field equations.Comment: 93 pages, no figure

Almost-stationary motions and gauge conditions in General Relativity

An almost-stationary gauge condition is proposed with a view to Numerical Relativity applications. The time lines are defined as the integral curves of the timelike solutions of the harmonic almost-Killing equation. This vector equation is derived by a variational principle, by minimizing the deviations from isometry. The corresponding almost-stationary gauge condition allows one to put the field equations in hyperbolic form, both in the free-evolution ADM and in the Z4 formalisms.Comment: Talk presented at the Spanish Relativity Meeting, September 6-10 2005 Revised versio

A Simple Family of Analytical Trumpet Slices of the Schwarzschild Spacetime

We describe a simple family of analytical coordinate systems for the Schwarzschild spacetime. The coordinates penetrate the horizon smoothly and are spatially isotropic. Spatial slices of constant coordinate time $t$ feature a trumpet geometry with an asymptotically cylindrical end inside the horizon at a prescribed areal radius $R_0$ (with $0<R_{0}\leq M$) that serves as the free parameter for the family. The slices also have an asymptotically flat end at spatial infinity. In the limit $R_{0}=0$ the spatial slices lose their trumpet geometry and become flat -- in this limit, our coordinates reduce to Painlev\'e-Gullstrand coordinates.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

Matched Asymptotic Expansion for Caged Black Holes - Regularization of the Post-Newtonian Order

The "dialogue of multipoles" matched asymptotic expansion for small black holes in the presence of compact dimensions is extended to the Post-Newtonian order for arbitrary dimensions. Divergences are identified and are regularized through the matching constants, a method valid to all orders and known as Hadamard's partie finie. It is closely related to "subtraction of self-interaction" and shows similarities with the regularization of quantum field theories. The black hole's mass and tension (and the "black hole Archimedes effect") are obtained explicitly at this order, and a Newtonian derivation for the leading term in the tension is demonstrated. Implications for the phase diagram are analyzed, finding agreement with numerical results and extrapolation shows hints for Sorkin's critical dimension - a dimension where the transition turns second order.Comment: 28 pages, 5 figures. v2:published versio

Finite difference schemes for second order systems describing black holes

In the harmonic description of general relativity, the principle part of Einstein's equations reduces to 10 curved space wave equations for the componenets of the space-time metric. We present theorems regarding the stability of several evolution-boundary algorithms for such equations when treated in second order differential form. The theorems apply to a model black hole space-time consisting of a spacelike inner boundary excising the singularity, a timelike outer boundary and a horizon in between. These algorithms are implemented as stable, convergent numerical codes and their performance is compared in a 2-dimensional excision problem.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figure

Fluctuation theorem and large deviation function for a solvable model of a molecular motor

We study a discrete stochastic model of a molecular motor. This discrete model can be viewed as a \emph{minimal} ratchet model. We extend our previous work on this model, by further investigating the constraints imposed by the Fluctuation Theorem on the operation of a molecular motor far from equilibrium. In this work, we show the connections between different formulations of the Fluctuation Theorem. One formulation concerns the generating function of the currents while another one concerns the corresponding large deviation function, which we have calculated exactly for this model. A third formulation of FT concerns the ratio of the probability of making one forward step to the probability of making one backward step. The predictions of this last formulation of the Fluctuation Theorem adapted to our model are in very good agreement with the data of Carter and Cross [Nature, {\bf 435}, 308 (2005)] on single molecule measurements with kinesin. Finally, we show that all the formulations of FT can be understood from the notion of entropy production.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Perturbative Noncommutative Quantum Gravity

We study perturbative noncommutative quantum gravity by expanding the gravitational field about a fixed classical background. A calculation of the one loop gravitational self-energy graph reveals that only the non-planar graviton loops are damped by oscillating internal momentum dependent factors. The noncommutative quantum gravity perturbation theory is not renormalizable beyond one loop for matter-free gravity and all loops for matter interactions. Comments are made about the nonlocal gravitational interactions produced by the noncommutative spacetime geometry.Comment: 11 pages LaTex. No figures. Changes to text. To be published in Physics Letters